BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Martinez Scratched as Today’s Starter

After trying to pitch with a bruised biceps last season, Ramon Martinez has apparently learned his lesson. After feeling continued tightness in his left hip while pitching in the bullpen Monday, Martinez agreed to skip his start today. He is tentatively scheduled to start Thursday at Dodger Stadium against the Houston Astros.

“If I pitch, it could get worse,” Martinez said. “I felt it a little bit in the bullpen, and I wasn’t even pitching 100%. It will be different in a game.”

Martinez will be replaced by Tom Candiotti, who will pitching on three days rest and for the fourth time in 11 days.

Candiotti was also ready to replace Bob Ojeda last week when Ojeda suffered back spasms, and eventually faced Atlanta in relief.

“It’s fine with me, I’ve done it before,” said Candiotti, whose arm suffers less-than-normal strain because he throws the knuckleball. “I was told this could happen last weekend when Ramon first got hurt, so I didn’t throw between starts. So I’m ready.”

Martinez said Monday that he strained his hip while exercising.

Juan Samuel was back on the bench Monday, missing his third game in four days. Manager Tom Lasorda confirmed that Samuel will not play until he can prove his injury is healed. “We think his finger is bothering him, but he won’t say anything about it,” Lasorda said. “Everybody can see it when he goes for a ground ball. So right now, we’re going to try something different.”

Mike Scioscia is suffering from a sore rib cage that might have been injured in a home plate collision Saturday with Houston’s Luis Gonzalez. Scioscia will undergo X-rays today. . . . Billy Ashley, the Dodgers’ top power-hitting prospect, has been sent back to double-A San Antonio after batting .211 with 42 strikeouts in 95 at-bats at Albuquerque. . . . Tim Crews, who is 3-0 as a starter in his career while the Dodgers are 4-0 when he starts, offered to start today instead of Candiotti. “I’m always offering, and always getting turned down,” Crews said.